It's not often that we ask our Virginia readers to consider criminal cases in other states. That's because, as you're probably already be aware, each state has the authority to enforce its own laws. This means that what applies in one state may not necessarily apply in another.
Things you may not know about Virginia's DUI laws
If there are two things that just about everyone knows about drunk-driving charges it's 1.) a BAC of .08 or higher is illegal here in Virginia, and 2.) multiple DUI convictions can lead to felony charges of worsening severity.
Is a personal Breathalyzer your ticket to avoiding a felony DUI?
Most people who live here in Virginia know that the courts in our state take drunk driving very seriously. From fines to imprisonment, a person convicted of driving while under the influence of alcohol faces a challenging road ahead because not only will that conviction stay on their criminal record, it can actually cause further legal problems down the road.
My license is suspended without an ignition interlock. What's up?
Virginia has some of the toughest drunk driving laws in the nation, and that includes requiring even first-time DUI offenders to install a Breathalyzer-like device in their cars in order to keep driving. As you may know, even a first-time conviction for DUI in Virginia could get your driver's license revoked for up to a year.
Should I plead guilty if I fail a Virginia sobriety test?
When the police lights go on behind them, most drivers feel immediately intimidated. Even if they have done nothing wrong, they often have a desire to explain themselves, justify their driving, describe where they've been and what they've been doing and so on. It's probably just human nature: we want to bring unpleasant encounters with police officers to rapid, favorable conclusions.